Casino War in Macau

Posted by James K.
May 11 2015

Casino War is a simple game in which the player and dealer each get one card, the higher card wins. In Macau I noticed the game at the Wynn and Sands. Here are the rules as played in Macau.

Rules

1. The game is played with six decks. Cards are ranked as in poker, except aces are always high. The suit does not matter.

2. After the players have made a wager each player and the dealer shall get one card.

3. Each player's card shall be compared with the dealer's card. If the player's card is higher he wins even money. If the dealer's card is higher the player loses.

4. In the event of a tie the player shall have two choices: (1) surrender and forfeit half the bet or (2) go to war (see rule 5)

5. If the player elects to go to war he must raise his bet by an amount equal to his original wager. The dealer will do the same but this is just for show. The dealer will then burn three cards and give the player and dealer another card each. If the player's second card equals or beats the dealer then the player shall win even money on the raise only and the original wager shall push. If the dealer's second card is greater the player shall lose both bets.

6. A tie after a tie will result in a bonus equal to the original wager.

7. A tie bet is also available, which pays 10 to 1 if the first two cards tie.

Strategy

The only decision point in Casino War, is whether to go to war, or surrender, on a tie. The correct choice is to go to war.

Hosue Edge

If the player goes to war on ties, as he should, the house edge is 2.33%. A surrendering player will have a house edge of 2.88%. The house edge on the tie bet is 18.65%.

For more information on Casino War, please visit my companion site, Wizard of Odds.